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Forty percent of Indigenous children live in poverty in Canada, according to a new report "Poverty or Prosperity: Indigenous Children in Canada" by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was immoral and a sin to watch these Indigenous children of Canada languish in poverty and do nothing.

The report also states that "over a million children in Canada still live in poverty" despite "repeated promises from federal and provincial governments to address the issue". Half of "status First Nations children live below the poverty line. This number grows to 62% in Manitoba and 64% in Saskatchewan", it adds.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that reported continuing neglect and denial of basic human rights to Indigenous children was unacceptable and disturbing. Government policies in this direction appeared to have failed and urgent and concrete action was needed to ensure the rights of Indigenous children.

Rajan Zed further said that Canada should show a strong political will to end the poverty of Indigenous children. Moreover, Canada should invest in First Nations, who needed to be empowered and wholeheartedly supported in reaching their complete potential, Zed stated.